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Most of our knowledge concerning the virulence determinants of pathogenic fungi comes from the infected host, mainly from animal models and more recently from in vitro studies with cell cultures. The fungi usually present intra- and/or extracellular host-parasite interfaces, with the parasitism phenomenon dependent on complementary surface molecules. Among living organisms, this has been characterized as a cohabitation event, where the fungus is able to recognize specific host tissues acting as an attractant, creating stable conditions for its survival. Several fungi pathogenic for humans and animals have evolved special strategies to deliver elements to their cellular targets that may be relevant to their pathogenicity. Most of these pathogens express surface factors that mediate binding to host cells either directly or indirectly, in the latter case binding to host adhesion components such as extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, which act as 'interlinking' molecules. The entry of the pathogen into the host cell is initiated by fungal adherence to the cell surface, which generates an uptake signal that may induce its cytoplasmic internalization. Once this is accomplished, some fungi are able to alter the host cytoskeletal architecture, as manifested by a rearrangement of microtubule and microfilament proteins, and this can also induce epithelial host cells to become apoptotic. It is possible that fungal pathogens induce modulation of different host cell pathways in order to evade host defences and to foster their own proliferation. For a number of pathogens, the ability to bind ECM glycoproteins, the capability of internalization and the induction of apoptosis are considered important factors in virulence. Furthermore, specific recognition between fungal parasites and their host cell targets may be mediated by the interaction of carbohydrate-binding proteins, e.g., lectins on the surface of one type of cell, probably a parasite, that combine with complementary sugars on the surface of host-cell. These interactions supply precise models to study putative adhesins and receptor-containing molecules in the context of the fungus-host interface. The recognition of the host molecules by fungi such as Aspergillus fumigatus, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Histoplasma capsulatum, and their molecular mechanisms of adhesion and invasion, are reviewed in this paper.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiologic agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), a chronic disease that affects goats and sheep, characterized by granuloma formation in subcutaneous and internal lymph nodes. CLA causes significant economic losses to commercial goat herds. In this study, we aimed to test secreted antigens secreted from T1 strain bacteria grown in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth in an indirect ELISA system to determine the presence of specific immunoglobulins against C. pseudotuberculosis. We analyzed the BHI antigen electrophoretic profile and the recognition pattern by infected sheep sera samples. The ELISA results were compared with multiplex PCR assay and IFN--gamma production. The ELISA was able to discriminate between negative and positive animals, with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 99%, using microbiological isolation as gold standard. When this assay was compared with multiplex PCR and specific IFN-gamma quantification, six discrepant results were found among thirty-two samples. We concluded that the ELISA using antigens secreted from C. pseudotuberculosis T1 strain growth in BHI broth culture can be used for the serodiagnosis of CLA in sheep.

Clinical mycoses treatment is associated with issues such as negative side effects, high cost, prolonged treatment, and resistant strain selection. Malassezia pachydermatis is the most frequently isolated yeast in cases of canine otitis and dermatitis. The number of fungal strains exhibiting primary resistance to several drugs in vitro is increasing. Propolis has a diverse chemical composition and well-known therapeutic properties against mycoses. An alternative method for producing propolis extracts using supercritical fluid has higher selectivity, yielding extracts with fewer pollutant residues. This study therefore aimed to evaluate the in vitro susceptibility profile of M. pachydermatis clinical isolates to precharacterized supercritical and ethanolic extracts. Three types of Brazilian propolis extracts (green, red, and brown) and commercial allopathic antifungals were used in this investigation. We used the microdilution broth technique to evaluate the susceptibility profile of the yeasts. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the brown propolis ethanolic extract was ≥16 µg/mL for all isolates. The MICs of fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin B ranged from 8 to >64 µg/mL, 0.032-4 µg/mL, 0.0313-16 µg/mL, and 1-2 µg/mL, respectively. The MICs of ethanolic red propolis extracts were lower than those of supercritical red propolis extracts. However, the green propolis ethanolic extract had more pronounced fungicidal activity. Isolates with lower susceptibility to commercial fungicides were inhibited by red and green propolis extracts. These results indicate that propolis can potentially be used in in vivo experiments as a promising therapeutic agent against M. pachydermatis infections.

RESUMOOs fungos endofíticos são microrganismos produtores de metabólitos secundários com vasta aplicação biotecnológica. Esses compostos bioativos apresentam atividades farmacológicas importantes, como antitumorais, antioxidantes, hormonais e ainda atuam contra diversos tipos de patógenos. O presente artigo tem como objetivo a prospecção de patentes relacionadas aos fungos endofíticos aplicados na Indústria farmacêutica. O delineamento experimental foi realizado pelo escopo estratégico por palavras-chave através da pesquisa avançada nas bases de dados EPO, WIPO e INPI. Foram selecionadas as palavras-chave "Endophytic fungi" and A61 para o estudo de interesse. A pesquisa resultou em 36 patentes registradas em diferentes países, ano de registro, instituição e os códigos de Classificação Internacional de Patentes, até o presente momento. Nesta perspectiva, foi possível verificar a China como maior depositante, e apesar dos fungos endofíticos serem pouco estudados no mundo, apresentam potencial revolucionário no estudo de novas drogas e aplicações cosméticas.Palavras-chave: Fungos endofíticos. Compostos ativos. Patentes. TECHNOLOGICAL PROSPECTION OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI AND APPLICATIONS IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY ABSTRACTThe endophytic fungi are producing microorganisms of secondary metabolites with wide biotechnological application. These bioactive compounds have valuable pharmacological activities such as antitumor, antioxidant, hormonal and still act against different types of pathogens. This article aims to prospecting patents related to endophytic fungi applied in the pharmaceutical industry. The experiment was conducted by the strategic scope by keywords through advanced research in EPO, WIPO and INPI data bases. The word keys were selected "Endophytic fungi" and A61 for the study of interest. The search resulted in 36 patents in different countries, year of registration, institution and International Patent Code, until now. In this perspective, we found China as the largest depositor and despite the endophytic fungi are little studied in the world, have revolutionary potential in the study of new drugs and cosmetic applications.

RESUMOA utilização de práticas alternativas para um adequado uso do solo e o emprego do controle biológico para pragas e doenças ganham destaque na agricultura. Os inoculantes e biofertilizantes têm sido empregados como fertilizantes biológicos, propiciando vantagens além de não causarem impactos ambientais. Objetivou-se nesta prospecção, mapear patentes que detenham tecnologias para produção e utilização destes.O delineamento experimental foi realizado pelo escopo estratégico de palavras-chaves e pesquisa nos sites Espacenet® e do INPI, focando em bioinoculantes e biofertilizantes, cruzando-se com os descritores fungos e bactéria. A pesquisaresultou em 1.212 patentes depositadas em diferentes países, anos, instituições e códigos internacionais até o presente momento. A China destaca-se com 842 depósitos de patentes, com papel relevante no cenário mundial para a produção de produtos de origem microbiana. No Brasil, por sua imensa biodiversidade, possui um grande potencial, ainda incipiente, para o desenvolvimento de tecnologias limpas para o fortalecimento do setor agrícola.Palavras-chaves: Bioinoculante.Biofertilizante.Patentes. TECHNOLOGICAL PROSPECTION OF PATENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF BIOINOCULANTS AND BIOFERTILIZERS ABSTRACTThe use of alternative practices for an appropriate use of the soil and the use of the biological control for pests and diseases in agriculture are highlighted. The inoculant and biofertilizer have been used as biological fertilizers, providing advantages and does not cause environmental impacts. This technological prospection aimed map holding patents for production and use of these technologies. The experimental delineation was conducted by the strategic scope of keywords and searches the Espacenet ® sites and INPI, focusing on bioinoculants and biofertilizers, crossing with fungi and bacteria descriptors. The research resulted in 1.212 deposited patents in different countries, years, institutions and international code at the moment.China stands out with 842 patents deposits, with a relevant roleon the world stage for the production of microbial products. In Brazil, for his immense biodiversity, has a great potential, still little explored, to the development of clean technologies for the strengthening of the agricultural sector.

Objective To determine patients’ willingness to undergo elective orthopaedic surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method 4 groups of patients were chosen based on type of surgery. A telephone survey was conducted, including questions on diagnosis, symptom duration, pain severity, co-morbidities, anxiety levels for COVID-19 and surgery. Patients were given the conditions for surgery and asked whether they would undergo surgery, have the operation carried out by another consultant and any factors that would increase their confidence. Results Of 200 patients, 156 participated (78%). 78.2% were willing to undergo surgery. There was a statistically significant difference in willingness between age groups 40-49 (100%) and 80 + (58.3%). Differences in willingness between surgery types, BOA risk class, sex, symptom duration and pain scores, were not statistically significant. Patients unwilling to undergo surgery reported statistically higher anxiety scores for health (4.39) and surgery (4.62) compared to the willing group (2.89 and 2.71 respectively). Patients’ main concern was contracting COVID (35.2%). Conclusions Our study demonstrated that the majority of patients were willing to undergo surgery. This can be used to inform strategies for resuming elective surgeries. It has also highlighted several areas in patient perception that warrant further investigation and the importance of enhanced consent on the specific risks.